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Monday, February 2, 2015

Working with a Critique Partner by Jannine Gallant

Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success. ~ Henry Ford

Sounds like a marriage, right? It is, in a way. There can be ups and downs--but there's also mutual support. I'm talking about your relationship with your critique partner. What, you don't have one? You're missing out. Go hunt one down and haul her back to your writing cave...The first step is finding a CP you can live with--so to speak. Some handy tips. You'll want to enjoy her writing. You'll be reading a lot of it. And she'll want to enjoy yours for the same reason. Second, having similar output is a plus. I have to admit to shamelessly abusing Margo (yes, our very own Margo is my CP) in this area. I write faster, but I do go over her stuff more often since she likes to change up her WIP on a regular basis. So, I think it's all good. Third, you need to be able to take each other's criticism without getting all bent out of shape. That means finding someone you can communicate with. Also, find someone who's strengths compliment your own weaknesses. Part One ~The Beginning has been covered! You're on your way...Part Two ~Staying Together. Lot's of reasons why CP's go their separate ways. I think time can be a big factor. When you embark on this relationship, be prepared to put some time into it. Yes, you're busy with your own stuff. Believe me, your own stuff will benefit from the time invested. Sometimes CP's branch out into genres you aren't excited to read. Discuss this ahead of time. Make sure you're both on the same page or can live with any changes. Communicate. (Sounds like that marriage again, doesn't it? LOL) Mutual respect for each other's work and advice will go a long way toward keeping the relationship healthy. I promise.And finally, Part Three ~ Success! Your book stands a much better chance of success if you have a CP. She's going to look at your baby in ways you haven't--and see the shortcomings. You may not always agree. You may take some of the advice but not all of it. BUT, I guarantee it will get you thinking about ways to make your writing stronger. I like to focus on the plot--to the detriment of fully developing the personal relationships between my protagonists. Margo is all about what her characters are thinking and feeling, and sometimes the plot stalls in the process. She tells me my characters haven't kissed or talked about their feelings in three chapters because I'm so focused on having them get away from the bad guy. I tell her that her characters are thinking things to death while nothing much is happening around them. Our WIPs are improved by these insights into our weaknesses. And hopefully, once we've made some changes, both our chances of success go up, up, up!So, if you have a CP, tell her thanks for her hard work and support on your behalf. If you don't, go find one. You'll be glad you did. Any other tips for a successful partnership you want to share? Please do.Here's my shout out! Thanks, Margo, for making my writing better!

21 comments:

Can I open my eyes yet? Just kidding. I think you pretty much nailed it, Jannine. Cooperation and compromise are big have to haves, too. Also, like us, someone to listen (without judging) when we need to vent about anything and everything. If I end up reading more than you, so be it. You have the tech savvy I can, and have, put to good use. Oh, and, you're welcome. My thanks to you, too.

Okay, now I'm jealous! You two sound like a perfect complimentary match. You have learned how to nurture the best out of each other...and it sounds like, over time, the relationship has deepened. Do you live close to each other (and/or meet often), or is this all done online?

Rolynn, we've become great friends over the last few years. No, we're miles apart. Me--California. Margo--Michigan. Everything is done online, but we chat almost daily via email. Keeps the ideas flowing and the support strong.

My current CP hasn't published anything and is learning the craft of writing. He's a terrific reader, though, and doesn't let anything get past him.

I was in a small critique group four years ago. We had one hard and fast rule: Check your ego at the door. I left the group after one year when a trusted member told me my writing was "for shit" and I was wasting her time. She completely lost it, screaming at me, calling me names, etc. The two men in the group sat by and let the women have at it. When she fled the room in tears, I quietly packed up and left. I never went back.

Congratulations to both of you. I envy you. i lost my critique group when I moved back to Ct and haven't found anyone else. I've tried but I guess I want the wonderful people I had there.Times do change.

Wow, Betsy, what an awful experience. I haven't tried a group setting for critiques. With an individual, you can vet each other first to decide if you're going to be compatible. Hope you have better luck in the future.

Barb, why not try working online with one of your old group if you can't find anyone locally. You don't really need to be face to face to work together!

I have two CP's. One sees the overall chapter I send. The other sees the details within the chapter, like repeated words and my love of commas. I write faster than they do and feel bad sending them a chapter every few days. But their home lives are different. They have kids in school or grandchildren they often watch. But they've both helped me to grow as a writer.

Jannine, you and Margo are lucky to have each other. I have some friends that I can offer pieces of my novels to, usually the beginning, but not chapter by chapter. Continued good luck to the two of you!

I worked with a small critique group once, and the leader taught me about POV - worth every minute I spent listening to beginners read aloud. Later I had a lovely, unpublished critique partner who wrote a completely different genre - not much help there. The first time I actually benefited from working with another writer was having you critique/edit Unwritten Rules. I learned a HUGE amount I should already have known. Margo is lucky to have you!!

Vonnie, sounds like your arrangement works. Some people are better at seeing the big picture. Some are more detail oriented. Great that you get both!

Susan, Margo and I got to know each other when we both wrote stories for the same multi-author series. We realized our styles meshed. Maybe ask on some of the author loops to see if anyone is looking for a CP. Just take some time to get to know them before committing to make sure you'll be compatible.

Jana, we don't do chapter by chapter critiques. Although, I'm starting to wonder if that might work better. Right now we critique the whole book after the first draft. The big picture issues come into play in a huge way. And we also line edit at the same time. You might give it a try if you can find someone willing.

Thanks, Alison. I'm really glad I helped you. And I owe you BIG TIME for all my book covers. I'm happy to edit for you any time!

I'm with Rolynn...jealous! :-) Actually, my CP is my husband, which makes ours a double marriage! He's a brilliant plotter (which I am not). As far as writing craft, he'll pick up that things just don't read right in a particular scene or section. (Keeps me on my toes!) Great post, Jannine.

Jannine & Margo, you are so lucky to have found a great relationship. I've been in a crit group & with a single critiquer. I'm the faster writer. She has great insight but let's "life" rule. I need someone who's as serious about writing as I am.